RYAN GARCIA ››

ASSIGNMENT FOUR | SEPT 25 2006 ››

Write a summary of each of the reviews you found. Include
references (i.e.: web site url, review author, title, date).

Based on your research, describe and explain the following:

The "beginning", "middle", and "end" of the underlying story.

The "setting".

The "character growth".

The "interactivity".

The "call to adventure".

The "reluctant hero".

The "mentoring".

The "tests".

The "weapons".

The "allies".

The "enemies".

The "hero's prize".

SECTION A›› "ODDWORLD: ABE'S ODDYSEE" GAME REVIEW SUMMARIES››

REVIEW ONE

The reviewer doesn't seem too impressed with "Abe's Oddysee," although the graphics are great and it is praised as "a 'thinking man's title' that rewards thinking more than twitching," it is placed in the "rental" category. I happen to disagree, because that was one of my favorite games (I guess that makes me a "thinking man" and not twitcher)

Another complainer. Apparently the game was too frustrating at times because the beautiful graphics bogged the game play down. Also stating that "the plot line ranges from thin to nonexistent" (What! games about farting and laughing don't make a good story...that's news to me).

This review I like because the author sells many of the good points of the game. The author states that "balancing its action and puzzle elements perfectly to make the game intelligent, engaging, and, best yet, fun. And with 25-30 hours of game play, there's a lot of meat for you to chew on, whatever kind it may end up being."

SECTION B›› DESCRIBE & EXPLAIN THE FOLLOWING››

The "beginning", "middle", and "end" of the underlying story.

The game begins when Abe (main character) finds out that Rupture Farms meat processing plant will be using Mudokons as meat. Mudokons are the race of aliens that Abe belongs to and Rupture Farms is where he works. Logically he escapes and then decides to go back to the plant to rescue his fellow Mudokons. The game has two different endings depending on the amount of Mudokons saved. In both endings Abe is capture, however in one he is rescued by the Mudokons he saved and in the other he is not saved and is sent to the meat grinder to become somebody's lunch.

The "setting".

The story is set in Oddworld which coincidentally enough is pretty odd. Full of creatures like the Elum, Sligs and such, that mixed with a highly 3d rendered world (but still a 2d platform) create a very immersing environment. In addition to the amazing graphics, the sound is phenomenal.

The "character growth".

Abe goes through the typical underdog hero arc. By that I mean that he begins a humble janitor at Rupture Farms, but through conflict, challenges and encouragement he is refined like gold to become the hero of the story, forgetting himself to save others therefore gains honor and respect.

The "interactivity".

In Oddworld Abe is presented with many puzzles that inch his way through the linear story with an ultimate goal to be achieved at the end of the game. To keep the player interested, there cut-scenes at the end of each level that reveals more of the story and therefore provides feedback and an interactive storyline.

The "call to adventure".

Abe's "way of life" is threatened and is spun into a web of events which he wants nothing to do with. Specifically, the endangerment of himself and his species as they become potential meat products.

The "reluctant hero".

Again Abe want's nothing to do with what is happening to his people and having saved himself probably considers leaving his Mudokon race to die.

The "mentoring".

Abe reconsiders leaving his brethren because of the wise counsel of "Big Face" who sort of like a Shaman to his people and who instruct him on how to go about his task.

The "tests".

Abe is charged with saving his people and "restoring his land" but first he must complete "the spiritual trials of the Monsaic Lines and Mudokon temples".

Oddworld's weapons are very unique compared to other games. Most games use guns, explosions and other destructive pyrotechnics but Abe has a different set of abilities like "gamespeak" which allow him to speak to other Mudokons, posses Sligs or call on his trusty Elum.

The "allies".

Abe has quite a few allies in the course of the game, like his Elum, the Shaman BigFace and the Mudokon slaves that he rescues.

The "enemies".

Abe's enemies include the Sligs, Slogs, and Glukkons.

The "hero's prize".

Abe's price for enduring all this torture is that he restore his people while at he same time gaining the respect and accolade that come with the achievement. However if Abe fails to save more than 50 Mudokon slave then the ending is quite different, think along the lines of... sandwich.